"I am the bread of life..."

John 6:35

Sacrament of the Eucharist

“The Eucharist is ‘the source and summit of the Christian life.’ ‘The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it.” Catechism of the Catholic Church #1324

As Catholics, we believe in the Real Presence of Christ within the Eucharist. That is, we believe that Jesus Christ is really, truly present in his body, blood, soul, and divinity in the consecrated host and wine. The Eucharist is a “re-presentation” of the same sacrifice Christ made on the cross at Calvary, thus the Eucharist is a sacrifice as well as a sacrament.

Preparing Your Child for First Eucharist (or First Communion)

The Sacrament of Eucharist or Communion can be celebrated for the first time as early as second grade or as young as age seven. All candidates for First Communion must already have been baptized and have received the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession). First Communion is usually celebrated at a special Mass on a Saturday in late April or early May. If your child is past second grade, or if you are an adult interested in making your First Communion, please call the Religious Education Office at 313.885.7022 for more information.